Caged oligonucleotides for bidirectional photomodulation of let-7 miRNA in zebrafish embryos

Many biological functions of microRNA (miRNA) have been identified in the past decade. However, a single miRNA can regulate multiple gene targets, thus it has been a challenge to elucidate the specific functions of each miRNA in different locations and times. New chemical tools make it possible to modulate miRNA activity with higher spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we describe light-activated (caged) constructs for switching let-7 miRNA ‘on’ or ‘off’ with 365 nm light in developing zebrafish embryos.

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